At the heart of the Connoisseurs Choice range, Gordon & MacPhail presents this unique Caol Ila 2008, aged for 14 years and bottled in 2023. The Caol Ila distillery, located on the remote island of Islay, is renowned for producing characterful Scotch whisky, and this specimen is no exception.

The 70cl bottle contains a distillate that has been resting since 2008, offering a deep expression of the qualities that only prolonged aging can provide. The maturation in selected whisky casks imparts complex and rich notes to this single malt.

Visually, the color of this Caol Ila is an intense and captivating golden, a testament to the quality of the wood and the time spent in the barrel. On the nose, the classic smoky and peaty notes typical of Islay unfold immediately, followed by a fresh marine sensation that evokes the salty ocean breeze. Beneath these first impressions, accents of ripe citrus and caramel emerge, balanced by a subtle spiciness.

On the palate, the medium yet persistent body of the whisky offers a dynamic palate, with smoke and peat guiding through fine layers of vanilla, black pepper, and dried fruit. The finish is long and complex, leaving a warm aftertaste with echoes of smoke and a slight touch of hazelnut.

This Caol Ila 2008 is a whisky for connoisseurs, capable of offering a tasting experience that is on par with the famed Islay tradition and with the excellence that Gordon & MacPhail has guaranteed for decades through its Connoisseurs Choice series. Excellent to enjoy neat, perhaps accompanied by a light splash of water to amplify its sensory nuances.